Joy and Happiness are not the same thing...
Happiness is fleeting because it is based on my pursuits but Joy is permanent because it is based on God's pursuit of me.
Happiness is based on circumstances but JOY transcends the events & disasters in our lives. Joy is a divine dimension that cannot be shackled by any circumstance.
JOY is abiding and not striving....(John 15:5, Gal 5:22)
I CHOOSE JOY...
I choose JOY because I know that God keeps his promises (he is faithful). I choose JOY because I know God is always at work around me. I choose JOY because I know that God is in the midst of what ever has happened, whatever is happening and whatever will happen.
Magnificat - Mary's Song - Luke 1:39-56
God is unfolding his plan for salvation and healing and he chose two very humble women to play a part. Their lives were about to be radically altered but they humbly embraced their role in God's story. Maybe God is telling you to....Embrace your story...Be faithful to your story...don't compare your story to someone else's story...
Mary knew her need for a Savior. She calls God - Savior. This is significant because one does not call God Savior unless one recognizes her need to be saved. And, Mary knew we needed a Savior. The world is broken. There is violence, abuse and wars of many kinds. There are people who are well fed and people who are not. There are people who have parents and people who do not. There are people who have shelter and people who do not. There are people who have a voice and people who do not. There are people who are free and people who are not. Our world needs a SAVIOR! We need to know our sins are forgiven. We need to know we are loved. We need to know that this life isn't meaningless. And once you recognize your need to be saved, nothing can't contain you because you'll be singing "My soul magnifies the Lord"
Bill-Board - You Know It's a Myth. This Season. Celebrate Reason (New Jersey, 2010)
Mary's unwavering faith enabled her to keep her blessed state of excitement. We must notice her faith in a God that is bigger and better than anything this world has to offer!
There was a group who put up the Billboard that said "This Season. Celebrate Reason." Although I revere reason - it's only up to a point. Faith tells us that although reason is a gift - it is not a God. Reason cannot explain everything. Reason cannot explain the purposes and plans of God. We must have faith as people of God - that God's promises are true.
Quotes:
"The Church—I repeat once again—is not a relief organization, an enterprise nor an NGO (Non-Government Organization), but a community of people, animated by the Holy Spirit, who have lived and are living the wonder of the encounter with Jesus Christ and want to share their experience of deep joy, the message of salvation that the Lord gave us. It is the Holy Spirit who guides the Church in this path.” — Pope Francis, Message for World Day of Peace
"It is the nature of joy that all questions grow silent and nothing needs explaining." Rudolf Bultmann
“The only condition for joy is the presence of God. Joy happens when God is present and people know it.” Barbara Brown Taylor
Scripture:
Isaiah 35:1-2 "...it will greatly rejoice and shout for JOY..."
Luke 1:46-47 "My soul magnifies the Lord and rejoices in God, my Savior..."
Psalm 51:12 "Restore unto me the JOY of your salvation..."
Romans 12:15 - "Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice..."
John 15:5 - "Abide in me and you will bear much fruit..."
Galatians 5:22 - "The fruit of the spirit is love, JOY,...."
John 16:22 - "No one can take your joy away."
James 1:2-4 - "...whenever you face trials....count it all JOY..."
Challenge: This season - sing your song of JOY! Don't be ashamed. Sing your song of JOY as you walk beside those in need...sing your song of JOY as you use your gifts of teaching, hospitality....sing your song of JOY as you love your family....sing your song of JOY as you serve the elderly...sing your song of JOY as you share the message of salvation....
Sing it loud - My soul Magnifies the Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment